Camera positioning systems

ABSTRACT

A camera mounting system with a ball swivel mechanism that joins a camera mounting plate to a bracket arm. The bracket arm is joined to a grip plate that can be secured to an object, such as a tree. The bracket arm is optionally joined to a monopod that can be secured to the ground. The camera mounting plates are configured to secure to multiple types of game-security cameras.

REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/977,789, filed Oct. 26, 2007 now U.S.Pat. No. 7,832,696, which is based on and claims priority of U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/855,600, filed Oct. 31, 2006,and Ser. No. 60/963,729, filed on Aug. 7, 2007, the contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Camera mounting systems are useful for positioning cameras to takephotographs. Camera mountings systems can be used to secure a camera ina more reliable fashion than a person could. Camera mounting systems canalso be used to secure a camera in locations or in positions that aperson could not achieve.

Cameras come in many configurations and styles. One type of camera is agame camera, or sometimes known as a game-security camera. A popular,but not necessary feature of game-security cameras, is motion detectioncapability. Common configurations can be programmed to take a photographwhen motion is detected. One use for this capability is to scout gameanimals such as deer. Game-security cameras come in many configurationsand are often not compatible with mounting systems used with otherstyles of cameras.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of camera positioning systems are disclosed. Certainembodiments include a ball swivel mechanism that joins a camera mountingplate to a bracket arm. In some embodiments, the bracket arm is joinedto a grip plate that can be secured to an object such as a tree. Inother embodiments, the bracket arm is joined to a monopod that can besecured to the ground. Some embodiments of camera mounting plates areconfigured to secure multiple types of game-security cameras.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game-security camera mounted to a treeutilizing a camera mounting system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera mounting system partiallydisassembled.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lock-in place slide bar securing acamera to a universal mounting plate.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a ball swivel mechanism with theinternal components visible.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a telescopic monopod camera mountingsystem.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom of a telescopic monopodcamera mounting system.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a drive stake.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game-security camera 100 mounted to atree 200 utilizing an embodiment of a camera mounting system, system300. System 300 includes a grip plate 301 that has four prongs 302 (twoshown in FIG. 1), a screw through hole 304, and a lag screw bolt 306.Bolt 306 screws into tree 200 such that prongs 302 are firmly pressedinto the tree. Prongs 302 are configured such that the grip plate can bepositioned at any angle relative to the tree while still being able tosecurely mount camera 100 to tree 200 without slipping or turning. Inembodiments, system 300 mounts a camera 100 to any tree having adiameter of greater than 1.5″. In other embodiments, system 300 does notmount to a tree. Embodiments of system 300 mount to fence posts, stumps,and deadfalls. Embodiments of system 300 are also used with materialsother than wood. Embodiments of system 300 mount cameras to any materialthat bolt 306 can be screwed into. It should also be noted that in someembodiments grip plates include attachment mechanisms other than lagscrew bolts such as hooks, clamps, adhesives, and magnets. In thoseembodiments, system 300 can mount a camera to a material other than amaterial that can be screwed into.

Camera mounting system 300 also includes a ball swivel mechanism 308, auniversal mounting plate 310, camera mounting bolts 312, bracket arm314, and bracket arm slot 315. Bolts 312 are used to secure camera 100to universal mounting plate 310. Ball swivel mechanism 308 attachesplate 310 to bracket arm 314. Ball swivel mechanism 308 is highlyadvantageous in many ways. One advantage is that it allows a great dealof flexibility in positioning camera 100. Swivel mechanism 308 permits360° rotation of the camera positioning such that the camera can facethe north, south, east, west, or any direction in between. Swivelmechanism 308 also permits 80° of forward tilt such that a camera can bepositioned almost completely facing the sky, and 80° of backward tiltsuch that a camera can be position almost completely facing the ground.Finally, swivel mechanism 308 permits 80° of tilt in both side-to-sidedirections such that a pictures taken by a camera mounted at 80° willhave the ground located in either the left or right sides of a picture.

It should be noted that embodiments of swivel mechanism 308 are notlimited to the tilt or rotation capabilities illustrated in the examplesabove. For example, some embodiments provide for less rotation and tiltpositioning capability, and other embodiments provide for greaterrotation and tilt positioning capability. It should also be noted thatin embodiments of camera mounting systems that include both a grip platethat can be positioned at any angle and a swivel mechanism, that thecombination of grip plate and swivel mechanism provides greaterpositioning capability than either element would alone. When used incombination, a camera can be position in any direction.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a camera mountingsystem 300 partially disassembled. FIG. 2 shows in greater detail manyof the elements discussed in regards to FIG. 1 such as camera mountingbolts 312, lag screw bolt 306, grip plate prongs 302, grip plate screwthrough hole 304, bracket arm 314, ball swivel mechanism 308, anduniversal mounting plate 310. FIG. 2 also shows elements of system 300that were hidden by the camera or tree in FIG. 1. These elements includecamera mounting wing nuts 316, lock-in place slide bar 318, slide barsecuring aperture 320, slide bar flange 322, bolt holes 324, bolt slots326, camera mounting aperture 328, pressed out slots 330 and bent-outlocking tab 332.

In certain embodiments, cameras, such as camera 100 in FIG. 1, aresecured to universal mounting plate 310 by inserting a camera mountingbolt 312 first through an aperture in a camera, then inserting the boltthrough a bolt slot 326, and then attaching a camera mounting wing nut316 to secure the bolt in place. Embodiments of bolt slots 326 arepositioned in universal mounting plate 310 such that they are alignedwith the apertures included in a wide variety of cameras. This allowsfor one mounting plate to be used with a large number of cameras ofdifferent types and from different manufactures. Similar to bolt slots326, bolt holes 324 also work in combination with bolts 312 and wingnuts 316 to attach cameras to mounting plate 310. Also similar to boltslots 326, in some embodiments, bolt holes 324 are positioned in plate310 such that they can be used to work with apertures included in a widevariety of cameras to secure the cameras to a mounting plate.Embodiments of universal mounting plate 310 can include any number ofholes 324 or slots 326.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lock-in place slidebar 318 securing a camera 400 to universal mounting plate 310. Somecameras do not include apertures such that bolt holes 324 or bolt slots326 can be used to secure them to plate 310. Some cameras, such ascamera 400, include camera mounting straps such as straps 402 shown inFIG. 3. In these cases, the cameras can be secured to the mounting plateby inserting lock-in place slide bar 318 through one pressed out slot330, then through the camera mounting straps 402, and then finallyinserting bar 318 through a second pressed out slot 330. One end ofslide bar 318 is secured to plate 310 by the slide bar flange 322 (shownin FIGS. 2 and 5) resting against a pressed out slot 330. In anembodiment, the other bar 318 end is secured to plate 310 by attaching alocked padlock 500 through slide bar securing aperture 320.

Similar to slide bar securing aperture 320, bent-out locking tab 332also includes an aperture that can be used in combination with somecameras, to secure a camera to plate 310 utilizing a padlock 500 orsimilar device. In some embodiments, a lock is used in combination witha cable. In FIG. 3, tab 332 is shown to extend away from the camera. Inother embodiments, tab 332 extends towards the camera side. In yet otherembodiments, tabs 332 are utilized to support weight. In someembodiments, bracket arm slot 315 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) is also usedin combination with a cable and/or lock to secure certain cameras tomounting plate 310.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a ball swivel mechanism308 with the internal components visible. In mechanism 308, a ballswivel ball 336 is enclosed in a ball enclosure tube 337, and issupported by a ball enclosure washer 338 and by a ball-support tube 340.In an embodiment, tube 304 is made from a synthetic material tube, suchas but not limited to a polypropylene tube, and is pressed into ballswivel mechanism 308 during assembly such that it provides constantpressure to ball 336. In an embodiment, ball 336 is drilled and tappedsuch that ball swivel set screw stud 342 can be attached. In someembodiments, universal mounting plates 310 include a threaded couplernut 334 (shown in FIG. 3) that is threaded onto ball swivel set screwstud 342 to join the universal mounting plate 310 to the ball swivelmechanism. Stud 342 is able to move within the swivel mechanismenclosure through the aperture in washer 338. This allows for therotation and tilting capabilities previously discussed.

Ball swivel mechanism 308 also includes a threaded T-bolt 344 that fitsthrough a T-bolt hole 346 in bracket arm 314. When tightened, the end ofT-bolt 344 contacts the surface of ball 336 and applies pressure to theback of ball such that an attached universal mounting plate and cameracan be securely held in place.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a telescopic monopodcamera mounting system 600. Embodiments of system 600 include universalmounting plates 310 and ball swivel mechanisms 308 which were previouslydiscussed. Other embodiments of system 600 include camera attachmentmechanisms and positioning mechanisms other than plates 310 and swivelmechanisms 308. System 600 includes a telescopic bracket arm 614, atelescopic boom 616, a telescopic boom adjustment mechanism 618, atelescopic base 620, a drive stake attachment mechanism 622, a drivestake 624, and a step-in-ground bar 626. Bracket arm 614 attaches theball swivel mechanism 608 to telescopic boom 616. In some embodiments,the size of the outer surface of telescopic boom 616 is smaller than thesize of the inner surface of telescopic base 620, and telescopic boom isfit into base 620. This allows for the height of boom 616 to beincreased or decreased by putting either more or less of boom 616 inbase 620. Telescopic boom adjustment mechanism 618 holds boom 616 at thedesired position by putting force on the boom by means such as, but notlimited to pressure from a screw or clamp.

Drive stake 624 (illustrated in FIG. 5 as being stuck in the ground)secures system 600 to the ground. Step-in-ground bar 626 canillustratively be used to push stake 624 into the ground by providing aconvenient place for a person to apply pressure. Bar 626 can alsofunction as a mechanism to prevent base 620 from being entered into theground. Similarly, drive stake divider 630 (labeled in FIG. 6 discussedbelow) can also function to prevent base 620 from entering the ground.

It is worth noting some of the advantages of system 600. Like system300, system 600 positions cameras to a great variety of positions that auser may desire. System 600 also provides other advantages such that thesystem can independently support a camera (i.e. a tree or other articleis not needed), and the system provides great convenience for heightadjustment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bottom of system600. FIG. 6 shows features that were concealed in FIG. 5. In anembodiment, drive stake 624 (labeled in FIG. 5) includes a drive stakeshort portion 632, a drive stake long portion 628, and a drive stakedivider 630. Both portions 628 and 632 have an outer surface that issmaller than the inner surface of telescopic base 620. Both are alsodesigned to fit into base 620 and to be secured to the base utilizingdrive stake attachment mechanism 622. In an embodiment, drive stake 624is designed such that a user can choose between using short portion 632and long portion 628 to secure monopod 632 to the ground. In anotherembodiment short portion 632 is designed to stick out when system 600 isnot in use, and long portion 628 stick out when system 600 is in use.Embodiments of portions 628 and 632 include any designs that are usefulin securing the monopod to the ground. In one embodiment, short portion628 is shorter and has a wider outer surface than long portion 632. Insome embodiments, the long and short portions are tapered such that theend first entering the ground is narrower than the last portion enteringthe ground such that the wider top portion provides a tighter fit withthe ground.

FIG. 7 is a side view of drive stake 624 unattached to telescopic base620 (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a drivestake long portion 628 that was concealed in FIGS. 5 and 6. In someembodiments, portion 628 has a pointy tip 634 such that stake 624 can beeasily pushed into the ground. In an embodiment, short portion 632provides a contact surface such that stake 624 can be driven into hardground utilizing an object such as a hammer. The telescopic base 620 canthen be attached to stake 624. This provides an alternative method ofsecuring telescopic monopod camera mounting system 600 to the ground, asopposed to the previously described method of utilizing step-in-groundbar 626.

Embodiments of camera mounting systems such as systems 300 and 600 aremade from any material and have any finish. Some embodiments are madefrom steel such as 14 gauge steel and have powder coat finishes. In someembodiments, parts of the systems are formed from separate pieces, andin other embodiments, multiple parts are formed from one piece. Forexample, in some embodiments ball swivel mechanism 308 and bracket arm614 (shown in FIG. 5) are made from separate pieces and then connected,and alternatively in other embodiments, they are integrally formed fromone piece.

It is worth noting that embodiments of camera mounting systems includeparts of any shape and size. For example, bracket arm 314 (shown in FIG.2) is illustrated as being a flat material. Embodiments of bracket arm314 include every shape and size such as a cylindrical bracket arm. Alsofor example, universal mounting plate 310 (also shown in FIG. 2) isillustrated as being rectangular. Embodiments of universal mountingplates are square, circular, or any other shape including very irregularshapes.

Finally, it is worth noting that although the present invention has beendiscussed in terms of certain embodiments, that various modificationsand alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilledin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of thisinvention. It should be understood that this invention is not to beunduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein.

1. A camera mounting apparatus for supporting a camera, comprising: abracket arm; a ball swivel mechanism connected to the bracket armincluding a ball located in a ball enclosure, wherein the ball is heldin a fixed position relative to the bracket arm by pressure exerted byan adjustable bolt extending into the ball enclosure that engages withthe ball; a camera mounting plate connected to the ball such that thecamera mounting plate is manually adjustable to a range of differentrotational and angular positions relative to the bracket arm to provideflexibility in positioning the camera; and a camera mounting strapcomprising a slide bar adapted to slide through mounting straps on thecamera to secure the camera to the camera mounting plate, the slide barcomprising a locking tab adapted engage with the camera mounting plateand an aperture adapted to receive a lock to secure the camera to thecamera mounting plate.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ball iscaptured in the ball enclosure between a washer and the adjustable bolt.3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the camera mounting plate issuspended below the bracket arm.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theball swivel mechanism permits 360 degree rotation of the camera relativeto the bracket arm and about 80 degrees of forward, backward, andside-to-side tilt.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cameramounting strap is adapted to slide through mounting straps on thecamera.
 6. A camera mounting apparatus for supporting a camera,comprising: a bracket arm; a ball swivel mechanism connected to thebracket arm; a camera mounting plate connected to the ball swivelmechanism such that the camera mounting plate is manually adjustable toa range of different rotational and angular positions relative to thebracket arm to provide flexibility in positioning the camera; and aslide bar adapted to slide through mounting straps on the camera and toengage with the camera mounting plate to secure the camera to the cameramounting apparatus, the slide bar comprising a locking tab adaptedengage with the camera mounting plate and an aperture adapted to receivea lock to secure the camera to the camera mounting plate.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein the ball swivel mechanism comprises a balllocated in a ball enclosure, where the ball is held in a fixed positionrelative to the bracket arm by pressure exerted by an adjustable boltextending into the ball enclosure that engages with the ball.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein the ball swivel mechanism comprises a ballcaptured in a ball enclosure between a washer and an adjustable bolt,where the ball is held in a fixed position relative to the bracket armby pressure exerted by the adjustable bolt onto the ball.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein the camera mounting plate is suspendedbelow the bracket arm.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the ballswivel mechanism permits 360 degree rotation of the camera relative tothe bracket arm and about 80 degrees of forward, backward, andside-to-side tilt.
 11. A camera mounting apparatus for supporting acamera, comprising: a bracket arm; a ball swivel mechanism connected tothe bracket arm; a camera mounting plate connected to the ball swivelmechanism such that the camera mounting plate is manually adjustable toa range of different rotational and angular positions relative to thebracket arm to provide flexibility in positioning the camera, whereinthe camera mounting plate includes a plurality of slots such thatcameras of various dimensions can be attached to the camera mountingplate; and a camera mounting strap comprising a slide bar adapted toslide through mounting straps on the camera to secure the camera to thecamera mounting plate, the slide bar comprising locking tab adapted toengage camera mounting plate and an aperture adapted to receive a lockto secure the camera to the camera mounting plate.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11 wherein the camera mounting plate includes a tab adapted tosupport the weight of a camera.